America boosts its navy: new aircraft prepared for naval aviation
Illustrative photo: US developing new fighter jet for aircraft carriers (Wikimedia by Touch Of Light)
The Pentagon is preparing to select a contractor to develop the new F/A-XX carrier-based fighter, a key US Navy project aimed at countering China. The program is expected to be a multibillion-dollar effort that will shape the future of naval aviation, according to Reuters.
After several months of delays, the US Department of Defense is expected to announce this week the winner of the competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman to build the next-generation F/A-XX carrier-based fighter jet.
The new aircraft will replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which has been in service since the 1990s, and will become a cornerstone of America’s efforts to maintain superiority in naval aviation.
Capabilities and objectives of F/A-XX
The F/A-XX is expected to feature enhanced stealth, greater range and endurance, and the ability to integrate with unmanned combat systems and carrier-based air defense networks.
The program is seen as a direct response to China’s advances in fifth- and sixth-generation fighter development, reinforcing the United States’ position in the ongoing strategic rivalry.
Delays and funding
Earlier disagreements between the Pentagon and Congress slowed the program. The Secretary of Defense insisted on moving forward with the contractor selection despite concerns about engineering capacity and supply chains. Congress has allocated $750 million to accelerate the F/A-XX’s development and added another $1.4 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
Outlook and timeline
Exact production timelines and procurement numbers remain classified, but the first serial F/A-XX jets are expected to enter service in the 2030s. The F/A-18 will remain operational through the 2040s, while the new fighter will equip the US Navy with a next-generation tool for carrier-based operations.
Earlier, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that America "must be prepared for war to preserve peace." During a meeting with generals in Virginia, he stressed that readiness for potential conflict is "not driven by a desire to fight, but by the need to defend peace, because only those willing to stand for it truly have it."
Meanwhile, the Pentagon reportedly plans to significantly ramp up missile and weapons production as part of preparations for a potential conflict with China, strengthening its defense capacity and military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
